The Maine Turnpike Authority began work this week on a new highway interchange in Saco, the first in more than two decades.

According to the authority, the new interchange will include four new on and offramps, two new toll plazas, a new collector-distributor road and modifications to intersections at Route 112. 

On Monday, the access ramp to the Ramada Inn closed permanently in order to realign the northbound on and off ramps. Access to the hotel is now exclusively from Route 112.

The $41.9 million project is the result of a 2019 study on regional traffic issues relating to the turnpike.

The work will continue through the fall of 2025, when the new interchange is scheduled to open. 

The last interchange that opened on the Maine Turnpike was Exit 86 in Sabbatus, which opened in 2004.